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FlyingPhotog
3rd of September 2008 (Wed), 20:36
I finally took the plunge and invested in some studio lighting equipment in an effort to move beyond the speedlights...

This is what I purchased (using essentially the Scott Kelby "Wish List" at B&H):
2 x 600RX Elinchrom Heads, 35" RectaBox and 53" OctaBox:
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/102591382.jpg

One came out of the box with a busted modeling lamp so I'm only using one head so far. Here's a couple of really rudimentary efforts. Please comment at will as this is a whole new ballgame for me:

Glass Bottle Over White:
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/102630305.jpg

Object Over Black:
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/102591385.jpg
Svetlana
3rd of September 2008 (Wed), 22:29
the lighting is perfect IMO, congrats on the purchase!
Maxxum5
3rd of September 2008 (Wed), 22:31
Wow! Looks like a commercial advertisement.

May I ask, why did you get one square box and one octagon?

The images look awesome!!! Makes me thirsty.....
FlyingPhotog
4th of September 2008 (Thu), 00:36
the lighting is perfect IMO, congrats on the purchase!

Wow, thanks! :)

Wow! Looks like a commercial advertisement.

May I ask, why did you get one square box and one octagon?

The images look awesome!!! Makes me thirsty.....

I was totally undecided on which way to go and was lacking solid information. Everyone has their favorites so some said Alien Bees, some said ProFoto and others suggest Elinchrom.

After a visit to a local camera store here in the valley, I came home and started digging through the stickies at the top of the Lighting section of POTN.

I ran accross a thread that led to a thread that led to a "Wish List" that Scott Kelby had published on line. It's here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=467382 (Top Line in Pac Ace's Post)

I read through the entire article and decided (based on $$$) that what Kelby suggested in Level 4 was exactly what I wanted to start with. I realize I'm biting the bullet some by going with big modifiers right off the bat but the way
I look at it, just about anything else I buy is gonna be smaller and cheaper!

:lol:

I think what sealed the deal for the Elinchroms (aside from some strong lobbying by a mutual friend of ours...namely, Hatch) was the fact that right there, in Kelby's Wish List at B&H, was the whole enchilada suitable for what I wanted to do. I can dial them back for table top but they've got enough "oomph" for portraits (and the 53" OctaBox makes me "full body capable" when I feel I'm ready to try shooting people...)

The gear is good quality (the stands alone are worth the price of admission...they're as good as anything we use in professional TV), it will last, it's flexible and seamingly endlessly adaptable (cash flow not withstanding.)

I tend to second guess myself sometimes when it comes to new gear but I've got no regrets at all and now it seems all I do is think of things to shoot and then research how to best go about it. Lighting is the fastest growing section of my personal photo reference library!
locky
4th of September 2008 (Thu), 19:43
Good investment. They look good.
ChunkyDA
4th of September 2008 (Thu), 21:11
As long as you don't stop the outdoor shots;) very nice purchase.
FlyingPhotog
4th of September 2008 (Thu), 21:44
Good investment. They look good.

Thank You

As long as you don't stop the outdoor shots;) very nice purchase.

I promise, once the Wx starts to cool off a little (and it should soon...) I'll be back out looking for more good AZ scenery...

The lights are an additional tool that I've been lacking and I've been wanting to expand my horizons...

Thanks very much...
airfrogusmc
4th of September 2008 (Thu), 22:01
FP

SWEET Way ta go bro...:D

Now get a duck in that studio for gosh sakes...
FlyingPhotog
4th of September 2008 (Thu), 22:03
FP

SWEET Way ta go bro...:D

Now get a duck in that studio for gosh sakes...

I'm devising a way to leave a trail of bread crumbs from the pond at at nearby park directly to my shooting table with a laser beam shutter release.

When the duck jumps up on the table

BAM

I got a pitcher...! :)
jdizzle
5th of September 2008 (Fri), 08:38
Cool! Congrats on the new gear!
airfrogusmc
5th of September 2008 (Fri), 11:03
I'm devising a way to leave a trail of bread crumbs from the pond at at nearby park directly to my shooting table with a laser beam shutter release.

When the duck jumps up on the table

BAM

I got a pitcher...! :)

:lol:

Sounds like a workable plan. Could be messy though the lights firing might scare the #*!% out of it.